Bag closing apparatus



Feb. 7, 1939. F ZElER 2,146,279

BAG CLOSTNG AiPARATUS Filed Feb. 15, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 u h I I IIHI W J'i 'lum I N V EN TOR. Frederik/r]? Z 6 5e);

BY Nilllw i ATTORNE Feb. 7, 1939. F. F. ZEIER BAG CLOSING APPARATUS 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15

V1 I/lI/l/III/ Ill/Ill ll/l/I/lI/I/ x/ llllllllll R r v 0 1 ma W mz m WE T k A .6 L M NM n Patented Feb. 7, 1939 PATENT OFFICE BAG CLOSING APPARATUS Frederick F. Zeier, Nyack, N. Y., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine 60., New York, N. Y.,

tion of New York Application February 15, 1934, Serial No. 711,404

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improved apparatus for stitching and closing the tops of filled bags and like receptacles.

Although there have been numerous efiorts in the past to provide apparatus for closing the open tops of filled bags, most of these efforts have resulted in machines embodying complicated conveyor apparatus for moving the work to the bag closing element, or to units in which the filled bag must be lifted from the floor to a table and manually moved across the table or moved with the table through a sewing mechanism, and in all of these relative manual adjustment vertically between the conveyor or table and .the bag closing element is necessary, when the height of the bag, or the contents therein, is altered in vertical height. Nearly all of these previous eiforts resulted in large, cumbersome, and costly devices which could not be moved conveniently about from place to place.

It is an object of the present invention to provide bag closing apparatus which may be moved about from place to place very readily and which lends itself to the closing of bags of various heights.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive stitching unit for closing the mouths of filled bags, which will be easy to install and to operate.

Another object is to provide a simpleyet very eflicient cut-off adapted to automatically cut the free line of loose stitching between successively closed bags.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bag closing apparatus which may be quickly changed and semi-fixed to receive and operate upon bags of various heights, and semifixed in the new or changed height without the necessity of loosening, setting, and then locking some yoke or equivalent arrangement.

Some of the features of the present invention include the provision of a single control adapted to easily and quickly move the stitching unit perpendicularly for bags of various heights, and horizontally across the top of the bag to close it by simple, one-handed operation, and'at the same time and with the same hand to be able to operate a switch to control the electric motor, and to operate and close a clutch or other driving connection between the motor and the sewing head. In addition to this, the present invention provides the advantageous feature of regulating the speed of operation on the sewing head with the same hand and at the same time as the various functions just described are accomplished.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a suspension apparatus adapted to swag (hang heavily) rather than dangle a stitching unit and a structure for conditioning and operating various instrumentalities on the unit without danger of adversely shifting the stitching head relative to the work.

A further feature is the provision 01' a suspension apparatus adapted to automatically lift the stitching unit to a raised position without the use of a Weight.

Yet another feature of the present invention is the provision of a brake associated with the controlling mechanism adapted to be applied automatically as the clutch and switch are connected.

A further feature is the provision of a single control adapted to shift the'main stitching unit vertically and horizontally and more particularly to close a switch for an electric motor, and a clutch connecting the motor to a sewing machine in timed relation; viz., start the motor just prior to closing the clutch and thereby lessen the load on the motor and on the power line by obtaining motor momentum prior to imposing a load on the motor, and to break the clutch connection just prior to stopping the motor so that inertia of the motor will not continue to drive the sewing machine after the switch and motor circuit is opened.

Yet another feature is the provision of a unitary, portable device which may be moved by one hand of the operator while the other hand is used to hold or locate the article to be worked upon, which embodies in a unitary device a stitching mechanism, a twine supply, electrical connection and control readily shiftable into various locations and heights.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view showing a filling station with the bag closing machine of the present invention located conveniently, and shows the semi-portable suspension apparatus provided by the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the portable sewing unit provided by the presentinventlon, and shows the single control and the various structural details for starting and stopping the unit and for governing the speed.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a modified form of the present invention, with an intermediate belt drive between the electric motor and the sewing head, and a modifled form of control.

Fig. 5 is a front view of that form of the present invention shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the split clutch pulley and the control therefor provided by the present invention.

Fig. '7 is a schematic view showing the clutch and switch control for that form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 through 6.

Fig. 8 is a side view similar to Fig. 1, but shows the apparatus of the present invention as a fully portable unit.

Fig. 9 is a top view of the yoke.

Fig. 10 is a detailed view of a modified form of yoke.

Fig 11 is a combined front and side view of a modified form of suspension apparatus.

Fig. 12 is a detailed view of the cut-off.

Fig. 13 is a detail view of the handle.

A detailed description now follows:

In Fig. 1 there is shown a representative filling station including a bin l2 and a spout l3 adapted to be inserted into the open mouths of bags l4 and to fill the latter with flour, sugar, or other commodities. This bin and spout may, in the now known manner, be associated with a'larger,

bin above a ceiling l5 and provided with an automatic weighing or control arrangement adapted to intermittently pass a predetermined quantity of the commodity to the bags as the latter are slid upon the spout.

The present invention provides a novel suspension apparatus l6which, as at present preferred, comprises a plurality of brackets l1 suitably secured to side wallsl8 adapted to support a rail l9 to provide a runway for'rollers 2|) on acarriage 2| and through a loop 22 and hook 23 support a frame 24 having one or more rollers 25 forming a free running connection for a counterbalancing aparatus 26 portion of the suspension apparatus l5 adapted to semi-fixedly support a universally movable stitching unit 21 at various heights relative to a floor upon which filled bags M are located. The rail I9 and carriage 2| permit movement of the movable stitching unit horizontally across the floor to various h groups of bags.

The counterbalancing apparatus 25 includes a cable 23 secured to the stitching unit 21 supporting a, frame 30 through a connection 29 and a counterbalancing weight 3| at its opposite end which may be made solid or may be made hollow with a screw threaded cap 32 at the end so that the hollow section may be filled with shot or other material in order to vary the weight; for example, if it is desired to have the weight 3| automatically move the stitching unit 21 vertically clear of the bags each time the stitching operation on an individual bag is completed. Preferably the weight 3| is made of considerable length, as shown, in order to be more steady in its operation.

If the stitching unit is to be used in a localized area of the floor, for example, an area overlying the tops of five or six bags and therefore not requiring horizontal movement of the carriage 2| in the rail I9, smooth action of the weight 3| and consequently of the stitching unit 21 may be further insured by swinging a yoke 33 (shown best in Fig. 9) on the weight into sliding engagement with a vertically disposed rod 34 supported at one of its ends in a suitable notch or aperture 35 in the floor, and having its upper end supported in a suitable aperture 36 in the bracket The yoke 33 is preferably made as shown in Fig. 9, with cars 37 adapted to clear the bar 34 when swung into operative position relative to the bar, and to move into the closed position shown by dot and dash lines 33' when a screw 38 is tightened with a wing-nut 38', to have a large loop 39 grip the weight 3| and to have a Fig. 10, adapted to yieldingly grip the bar 34.

This yoke 33 encircling the bar 34 prevents the weight 3| from swaying and'thereby tends to hold the stitching unit in a semi-fixed position, and this latter advantage may be further obtained by the provision of spring fingers 40' on the loop 49 as shown on the modified yoke in Fig. 10, adapted to yieldingly grip the bar 34.

It is possible to move the entire mechanism to various horizontal positions across the floor by merely lifting the rod 34 out of the notch 35 and pulling the lower end of the bar across the top of the floor until the upper end slides out of the aperture 36, and reversing this operation to place the rod in one of the several duplicate rail supporting brackets l1 and cooperating floor notches 35, or by providing a vertically disposed rod in each of the brackets and cooperating notches in the floor, and merely disconnecting the yoke 33 from-one, moving the carriage to another horizontal location, and then connecting the yoke again to the rod closest to the desired location.

When it is desired to move the carriage quickly to a large number of locations over the floor without changing the yoke connection 33, it is merely necessary to swing the yoke out of engagement with the rod 34.

In order to provide a universally movable sewing mechanism which may be moved and controlled very easily, a number of problems are involved. The present invention has mastered these very well with a number of novel structural details. In one form, that shown in Figs. 1 through 3, this has been accomplished by the provision of the stitching unit 21 on the substantially inverted, L-shaped main frame 39 including a base section 4| and an overhanging arm 42 with a table 43 near the lower end of the base adapted to have a sewing head 44 connected to it as by screws (not shown) and an upper table 45 for supporting an electric motor 45 secured thereto, with an armature shaft 4'! in co-axial alignment with a main drive shaft 43 on the sewing machine unit 44. The base 39 and the tables43 and 45 thereon are, according to the present invention, offset-relative to the connection 29 sufficiently to bring the center of gravity of the vertically suspended electric motor and sewing machine head centrally relative to the cable 23, thereby maintaining the suspended unit in a perpendicular plane and minimizing the possibility of any swinging or pendulum-like action.

The sewing machine unit 44 is provided with a needle-driving pitman 49 and needle lever 55 adapted to operate a needle bar 5| and needle 52, and is provided with a presser foot 53, co-acting with a usual feeding mechanism generally indicated by 54. A four motion, feed actuating means is indicated by 55. All of these are of the usual and well-known Metropolitan sewing machine construction. The sewing machine is further provided with a cover plate 56 in the form of a cylindrical bed over which the bags |4 feed during thev stitching operation.

Operation of the stitching unit 44 is, according to the present invention, facilitated by the provision of a support 51 on the frame 30 adapted to support a plurality of spools 53 of sewing twine 53 and a twine guide 53', held by the frame in fixed relation to the operating parts of the sewing machine at all times. Thus, there is no danger of pulling the twine from the ordinary tension rolls on the sewing unit or of twisting the threads around the unit, as would certainly occur if the rolls were not adapted to move coordinately with the universally movable sewing unit.

Current for the electric motor 46 is provided through an extension cord having a conventional outlet plug connection 66' to a suitable.

source of current, with the cord extending to the top of the unit 21 and thence connecting with the motor through a switch 6|. The switch is of the conventional one way type having an arm 62 normally held in retracted, switch-opening position by a usual inner spring in order to keep the current from reaching the motor, but is adapted to be moved into the advanced position 62', shown by dot and dash lines, against the continuous spring pressure in order to close the circuit to the motor.

A particularly novel structure is provided by the present invention for moving the stitching unit 21 vertically and horizontally, for starting and stopping the electric motor 46, and for variable control of a driving connection 63 between the motor and sewing head. 7

In that form of the invention shown in Figs.

1 through 3 the driving connection 63 includes a cup cone 64 fixed to the outer end of the main drive shaft 48 of the sewing machine, and a coaxially aligned disk cone having a spline connection 41 on the armature shaft 41 and slidable axially thereon into and out of driving engage ment with the cup cone.

Operation of the driving connection 63 is effected by a crank-arm 66, fulcrumed on a pin 61 in an abutment 61' on the frame 36, having a yoke 66 entering a collar 69 on the disk cone 65 and having a bar 10 paralleling the base H with a connection 1| at its lower end to an arm I2 secured to a rod 13 portion of a handle 14. The handle is provided with a cut-out, center section 14' to accommodate the hand of a user,

and is held in the frame with a nut 13' on the outer end of the rod 13. By having the parts so arranged that the arcuately movable rod 13 on the handle I4 is centrally disposed relative to the latter, a positive, balanced control of the entire stitchingunit 21 is achieved in moving it vertically and horizontally, and there is no tendency to tilt the unit from the perpendicular as would occur if the handle extended to one side only of the rod. Although the connection "H may be a direct pin and slot connection between the bar 10 and arm 12, it is preferably made with a link (as shown) between the two in order to insure a smoother action.

A spring 15 connected to the frame 36 on a pin 15' at one of its ends and at its opposite end to an extension 16 on the crank arm 66 serves to move the crank arm in a clockwise direction about the fulcrum 61, as viewed in Fig. 2, and thereby causes the yoke 66 to move the associated cone disk 65 outwardly of the cup cone 64 to break the driving connection 63 therebetween. However, in order to close the driving connection it is merely necessary to turn the handle 14 in a clockwise direction, whereupon the arm 12 through the connection 'H moves the bar 10 and associated yoke 68 in a counterclockwise direction against the tension of the spring 15 and moves the disk cone along the spline connection 61' first into slipping engagement with the cup cone, and upon further turn ing, into solid connection with the cup .cone in order to drive the main shaft 48 and all the associated moving parts of the sewing machine at the same speed as the electric motor.

In addition, the crank arm 66, according to the present invention, is arranged to automatically operate the switch 6| and thereby control the motor 46. For this purpose a link TI, which may be in the form of a bead chain, is connected to the yoke 68 and the arm 62 portion of the switch and is so arranged that it moves the arm 62 into the dot and dash position 62 shown in Fig. 2 in order to close the switch, and thereby passes current to the electric motor. Preferably the link 1'! and arm 62 are adjusted to close the switch upon initial counter-clockwise movement of the yoke 68 so that the motor 46 is started and, because it is free of load, brought up to speed prior to the disk cone 66 being brought into even slipping engagement with the cup cone 64, and is arranged to break the driving connection 63 prior to disconnection of the electric motor so that inertia of the latter will not continue to operate the sewing machine.

Thus, the present invention provide a compact unitary structure including: the twine supply for the sewing machine; an integral electric motor; electrical connections for starting and stopping the motor; and a driving connection, with a simple one-hand control adapted to move the complete unit in a balanced manner vertically and horizontally; and is structurally arranged so that the same hand and handle may be used to conditicn the electrical connections and to control the driving connection.

Figs. 4 through 7 show a modified form of stitching unit 21' which embodies practically all of the advantages of the first form already described in detail, but in addition has the advantage of being more satisfactory for use in places having but limited head room, since the entire unit is much shorter vertically and consequently the bottom thereof will be at a greater height from the floor when in the raised position so that there is no danger of striking it with ones head, and it also has the advantage of an indirect driving connection 18 between the motor and the sewing machine, rather than the sub-'- stantially direct driving connection 63 of the first form of the invention, permitting the use of different size pulleys in order to change the speed of the sewing machine unit to various ratios, which may be desirable when there is a change of material forming the bag or a change in the thickness of the material.

This form of the invention includes a very different form of base 19 and control 80, but includes exactly the same sewing machine unit 44, electric motor 46, and switch 6i as the first form of the invention. The base member is preferably a very short, substantially rectangular block with the sewing machine 46 secured to one side and the electric motor 46 secured to the opposite side by screws 8|. A connecting plate 62 extends upwardly from the center of the base for connection (if preferred, to the cable 28 of the counterbalancing mechanism 26 of the first form of the invention) as shown, to a modified form of counter-balancing apparatus 26' through a loop 62' to a cable 28 extending around a single pulley 83 to a weight 3|.

This form of the invention provides twine supports 51 for rolls 56 of twine 59 directly upon the cable 23 and resting upon the loop connection 82, and a thread guide 84 secured to the cable above the spools 58 and spool supports 81'. Since the loop 82' rotates the cable, should the stitching unit 21 be turned axially, the thread support 51 and guide 84 would be turned axially an equivalent amount so that there is no danger of twisting the thread relative to the sewing ma.- chine unit. The motor 48, mounted on substantially the same horizontal plane as the sewing machine 44 and on the opposite side of the base member 18 and connecting plate 82, balances the complete stitching unit 21' in a proper perpendicular plane. v

The driving connection 18 of novel form is provided by this form of the invention and includes a solid pulley 85 on the shaft of the sewing machine and a split pulley clutch 88 on the armature shaft 41 of the motor with a V belt 81 connection extending between the two. This split pulley clutch may be seen best by referring to Fig. 6, and includes a fixed half 88 of the split pulley secured to the armature shaft with a set screw 88' and is provided with a hub 88 upon which a free half 88 of the split pulley is supported for axial and rotative movement. A housing 88' is provided in the outer face of the free half 88 to support a thrust bearing 82 for eliminating friction when the split pulley half is moved from the nondriving position shown by dot and dash lines 8| into the driving position shown in Fig. 6.

Control of the split pulley clutch 88 is efiected in this form of the invention by a lever 88 with forked fingers 84 underlying the thrust bearing 82 fulcrumed on a pin 85 in a bracket 88 suitably secured to the top end of the base member 18, or formed integral therewith, and having a single finger 83 connected by a link 81 to a bell-crank 88 on the bracket 88 and thence through a link 88 to a control member I88 pivoted on a stud MI in a slot I82 in a main handle I83. In this form of the invention the handle is rigidly secured to the frame 18 by side plates I84 and screws I85.

Preferably a brake II8, as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and '1, is provided on the outer end of the finger 83', adapted to move into engagement with the side of the solid pulley'88 in order to bring the sewing head 44 to a dead stop quickly when the driving connection 18 is broken. When this brake is included a spring I I8 is provided between the motor 46 and yoke 84 to pull the brake against the pulley with the proper degree of pressure.

Preferably, as with the first form of the invention, the clutch controlling yoke 88 has a link connection 11 with a switch 8| adapted to pass current from a feed wire 88. The switch is of the one-way type, being resiliently held in the normal position shown in Fig. 4 by an inner spring, and being necessarily held against spring pressure in the operative or circuit closing position shown by dot and dash lines 82'. I

The weight of the free half 88 of the split pulley. the contracting pull of the V belt 81, and the spring tension of the switch arm 82 all serve to hold the driving connection control 88 in the normal, inoperative position shown in Figs. 4 and '7.

Movement of the stitching unit 21' into-working position is effected by merely grasping the handle I83 and pulling the unit cable 28' over the pulley 83 into the desired vertical and horizontal stations, without gripping the handle hard enough to pull the control member I88 into the slot I82, aligning the feed dog' 84 and needle 52 with the top of a bag I4 and then gripping the'control member I88 to move it inwardly of the slot, where upon the link 88, bell crank 88, link 81, andlever 83 in their initial movement operate the yoke 84f and link 11 to close the switch 8| to start the motor, and upon further movement cause the split half 88 to move toward the solid half 88 of the split pulley 88 to grip and tighten the belt gradually relative to the solid half and thereby effect at first a slipping belt connection with the sewing machine unit 44, and upon final tightening of the control member relative to the handle, eflecting a solid or full driving connection between the two. When the end of the bag is reached it is necessary merely to loosen ones grip on the control member I88, whereupon the pull of the belt 81 and weight of the half 88 moves the yoke ,84 in a clockwise direction to free the belt again on the split pulley and coordinately open the switch again to stop the motor.

As with the first form of the invention, the handle I83 and control 88 are arranged so that the complete stitching unit 21' is not tilted or twisted unduly in the regular manipulation; both vertical and horizontal placement of the unit is effected in a very balanced manner, and the control of the switch 8i and of the driving connection 18 is accomplished without twisting the unit or causing it to swing in any manner.

Fig. 8 shows a further modified form of the v present invention which may be used equally well with both forms of the invention just described in detail, and illustrates very clearly the fully portable characteristic of the present invention. It discloses a truck I88 which may be moved about from place to place on wheels I81 and is provided with an upright standard I88 having an overhanging arm I88. This arm may be arcuately movable on a thrust bearing I I8 within a housing III on a table of the truck, or. may be rigidly secured relative to the truck. The overhanging arm is provided with an outer hook II2 adapted to receive the loop 22 inthe frame 24 of the counter-balancing apparatus 28 or to receive the hook II3 of the single pulley device 83 of the second form of counter. weight apparatus 26'. This form of the invention enables the stitching unit to be used in various areas in the one room, or to be moved from one room or one plant to another without inconvenience.

A bar II4, secured at its lower end to a finger IIS on the standard I88 and at its upper end in a suitable aperture H8 in the overhanging arm I88, is included to provide the semi-fixed connection. Spacing of the outer hook II2 relative to the bar H4 is such that the frame 24, when in the hook, locates the weight 3I properly relative to the bar II4 so that the yoke 33 of Fig. 9, or yoke with fingers 48' in Fig. 10, may be secured to the weight and encircle the bar to provide a semi-fixed connection as described hereinbefore. An inner hook II1 on the arm I88 serves similarly to locate the weight 3| of they single pulley 83 type of counter-balancing apparatus 28' properly relative to the bar II4 so that it too may include the yokes to provide a semi-fixed connection.

In those cases where it is preferred not to have a hanging counterweight for pulling the unit 21 or 21 to the raised position, the present invention provides an automatic suspension device I28, as shown in Fig. 11, which includes a drum I2I rotatably mounted on a shaft I22 in a stand-* ard I23 upon which a stitching unit supporting cable I24 is aiflxed and wound to lift the unit and unwound to lower it. The drum is provided with a recess I25 at one end housing a substantial flat spring I28 which is amxed at its outer end to the drum and at its inner end to the support I23. erably proportioned to pull the stitching unit to the raised position when the unit is released by the operator, but in effect counter-balance the unit so that very little manual efiort is required to pull the stitching unit down into the operative or working position.

The degree of tightness with which the coils of the spring are tightened may be such that it serves to support the unit in any desired perpendicular position, yet not raise it. The standard is provided with bolts I21 for securing it to the ceiling I or carrier 23, and may be provided with a hook, similar to the hook I I 3, for securing it to the mobile or semimobile apparatus similar to those already described.

Both main forms of the invention may be, and, as shown, are provided with a novel cut-oil device I28 adapted to snip the free line of stitching between successive bags I4, or the like, worked upon by the stitching unit 44. Because the work table 56 is vertically arranged a special problem is involved in providng a cut-oil. apparatus.

As shown in Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 12, the structure provided by the present invention and now preferred comprises a substantially L or V-shaped movable member I29 pivoted on the main table 53 by a stud I30 with a movable shear blade I 3| integral therewith or aflixed thereto, and a cooperating stationary shear blade I32 in the form of a removable plate afllxed to the table by screws I33. The other.end of the movable member I29 includes a U-shaped yoke I 34 adapted to receive M an eccentric I35 on the end of the main shaft 48 for moving the shear blade into engagement with the shear plate continuously. Any surplusage of thread between the bags drops vertically along the table 56 between the shear blade and shear plate to be clipped thereby. Because the cut-off device is constructed to permit operation close to the line of stitching, twine may be saved. Also, it is very easy to guide the chain of stitching into the path of the cutting edges because the cut-off device is located at the bottom end of the machine.

I CERTIFICATE Patent No 2, 11 .6, 279.

The size and set of the spring are pref- OF CORRECTION.

That form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 through 7 may also be provided with a shield I36 adapted to enclose the driving connection I8 and enclose the crank 93' both for the operators safety and to prevent the belt 88 from whipping and riding off the pulley 86 when the latter is opened. The shield, shown best in Figs. 4 and 6, is preferably held in place by lancing an ear I31 upwardly from a face I36 thereof and securing it to the plate 82 with a screw I38. The inside of the shield is provided with a cushion I39, of felt or the lke, against which the belt may strike when it becomes slack. It is spaced from the outside diameter of the pulley 86 less than the thickness of the belt 81 and thereby prevents the slack belt from riding on the pulley. The cushion prevents noise and wear on the belt, while the shield not only protects the operator from injury, but keeps the belt under control during operation of the machine.

Other variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a suspension apparatus; a bar associated with said apparatus; a universally movable stitching unit; a counter-balancing mechanism for supporting said stitching unit; a weight in said counter-balancing apparatus; and a yoke adapted to be secured upon the weight and to yieldingly grip the bar for semiflxedly holding said portable stitching unit.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a standard; a bar associated with said standard; a pulley supported on said standard; a universally movable stitching unit; a weight; a cable extending over said pulley and connecting said weight to said stitching unit; and a yoke on said weight and on said bar and adapted to yieldingly grip the bar for semiflxedly holding said universally movable stitching unit.

FREDERICK F. ZEIER.

February 7, 1959.

FREDERICK F ZEIER 1 .II: is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, column, line 6, strike out the words "Fig.

second 'insert instead small loop I 0 encircle yet not; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this'correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and. sealed this Lien day of April, A. D. 1939.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdal e Acting Commissioner of Patents.

10 adapted to yieldingly" and 

